Operation Vulindlela unlocks R500bn in investment, a trillion more needed

South Africa’s flagship reform programme is facilitating unbundling at Eskom and Transnet

- BANELE GININDZA

“ESKOM unbundling is making pretty good progress. On 1 April 2026 we will be launching the South African wholesale electricity market. That’s the first and most critical step we will be launching,” Dicks said. | HENK KRUGER Independent Newspapers

(HENK KRUGER Independent Newspapers)

SOUTH Africa's flagship reform proramme, Operation Vulindlela, has elped unlock about R500 billion in private-sector investment, largely driven by new electricity generation projects and reforms in telecommunications, including the long-awaited auction of 4G and 5G spectrum, which has opened the door to cheaper communication.

But this progress, while significant, is still far from the investment volumes the country needs, said Rudi Dicks, head of the project management office in the Presidency and co-lead of Operation Vulindlela.

Speaking during the latest PSG Think Big webinar on Tuesday, Dicks said the next phase of the program, Operation Vulindlela 2.0, is accelerating structural reforms at Eskom and Transnet, though the process remains highly complex.

“We require not just R500bn, we require a trillion rand or more above what we already invested on an annual basis,” he said.

Dicks said the second phase of the program had made significant progress in facilitating unbundling at key entities such as Transnet and Eskom.